Holden vs. Buick

[AussieHolden]

Hi Guys,

I had this brought up and was woundering if someone could answer this for us.

Hi, I'm new here so let me introduce myself. My name is Jason and I'm 21 from America. I drive a 1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI with the Series I supercharged 3800. Its similar, I assume, to your Holden Commodore VR which is what brings me to this forum.

Here we don't have any performance parts available for the Series I 3800's, although Series II parts are plentiful. I'm in the middle of upgrading my engine and my quest for performance parts has taken me all the way to Australia. Are there any performance parts that you know of available for the Series I 3800? Are there any differences between the American version and the Holden? I have extensive knowledge plus 100's of photos of a torn down American version, so if anyone has the same for a Holden maybe we can swap info. Any help would be appreciated!

Jason

This is something I have no knowledge of as I have never heard of it I've only heard of the Manaro being sent over to the US with a new name and new look.

[Salem]

hmmm interesting will have a look into it.

[Salem]

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/229443

Looks nothing like the 3800 though

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...art=21&show=20

[midnight.outlaw]

Looks like its an east-west version of the 3.8, I think i heared somewhere holden rotated the 3.8 to make it a north-south.

[Gobbles]

Originally Posted by midnight.outlaw

Looks like its an east-west version of the 3.8, I think i heared somewhere holden rotated the 3.8 to make it a north-south.

yep...im gonna take a stab in the dark and assume they rotated it E - W for their FWD setup they use

[AussieHolden]

Are there any performance parts that you know of available for the Series I 3800? Are there any differences between the American version and the Holden?

The guy is just wanting to know if he can get performance parts here in Australia or not because for some reason he can't get any over in the US for the series 1.

Maybe he should just sell it and get the series 2 cause he says he can get plenty for that model.

[jetspin_vn]

The Buick 3.8 that Holden used from VN - VR was origionally designed as an east - west engine. Holden adapted it as a north - south for the Commodore to be less gay. Look at the rocker covers, they are almost idenitcal. This in mind, some of our cam and intake kits should fit this engine, but I'd be checking the part numbers and what not first just to be sure.

Mike

[2_SeeK_U]

Sorry guys, but what would be an advantage of having the engine North-south instead of east-west? I'm new to this :-D

[DJ Majah]

Originally Posted by 2_SeeK_U

Sorry guys, but what would be an advantage of having the engine North-south instead of east-west? I'm new to this :-D

Because then you can use it as a rear wheel drive, not a ricey front wheel drive.

[jetspin_vn]

Yea, the output is heading towards the rear end, where the diff and drive axle is. In a FWD, the drive axle is in the engine bay (or under it) thus the box and engine are sideways (ie: east/west)

East/West = BAD - engine sideways, car only goes fowards.

North/South = GOOD - engine fowards, car can go sideways

[MYSS94]

Originally Posted by jetspin_vl

East/West = BAD - engine sideways, car only goes fowards.

North/South = GOOD - engine fowards, car can go sideways

I like that theory!!!

[PIMPIN]

Originally Posted by jetspin_vl

East/West = BAD - engine sideways, car only goes fowards.

North/South = GOOD - engine fowards, car can go sideways

Muahahaha nice one!

[AussieHolden]

Thanks for your help guys it's been pretty much answered now.

I'll tell you what tho for a side mounted engine using the holden engine it's the most reliable engine of all it was a good choice to use our Aussie engine.

[VTSSDUDE]

They even used the 3800 engines in the saloons as well. They were also fwd drive cars with east west engine. Also had 152kw as well.

Cheers,
Jim